Improving Public Toilet Environment and Hygiene Practices in an Asian City: Voices From Hong Kong Residents

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952199368
Author(s):  
Kai Sing Sun ◽  
Tai Pong Lam ◽  
Wai Sin Tang ◽  
Hoi Yan Chan ◽  
Kwok Fai Lam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Hong Kong Chinese ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
The Government ◽  
Public Toilets ◽  
Method Approach

Toilet hygiene is an important preventive measure for infectious diseases, including severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and COVID-19. This study explored public’s opinions on improving toilet environment and hygiene practices in Hong Kong. A mixed-method approach was applied. We conducted 4 focus groups plus 3 individual interviews among the Hong Kong Chinese, followed by a questionnaire survey with 300 respondents recruited from various districts. Difference in response distributions between groups with different demographics was tested by Pearson χ2 test. Instead of advocating for advanced toilet facilities, respondents were mostly concerned about basic hygiene issues. Malfunctioning facilities resulting from poor toilet management, such as clogged toilets, stained facilities, and problematic flushing systems, were most cited as barriers to toilet hygiene practices. Three quarters of the survey respondents expressed concerns over worn and poorly maintained toilets, shortage of janitors, and cleansing supplies. However, respondents who were older ( P < .001), less educated ( P < .001), and had lower income ( P = .001) were significantly more likely to find hygiene conditions in public toilets satisfactory. The findings reflected the substandard of the current provisions as a developed city in Asia. Enhanced efforts by the government to maintain basic toilet supplies and facilities is the key to improving public compliance to toilet hygiene practices.

scholarly journals A mixed-methods study on toilet hygiene practices among Chinese in Hong Kong

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wu ◽  
Tai Pong Lam ◽  
Hoi Yan Chan ◽  
Kwok Fai Lam ◽  
Xu Dong Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Improvement Measures ◽  
Local Residents ◽  
Public Toilets

Abstract Background Public toilets are a common transmission vector of infectious diseases due to environmental contamination. Research on Chinese people’s hygiene practices in public lavatories are lacking. This study examined Chinese people’s hygiene practices in public lavatories in Hong Kong. Methods We conducted qualitative interviews and a self-administered questionnaire survey with local residents from June 2016 to April 2018. Four focus group discussions and three individual interviews informed the design of the questionnaire. We recruited interviewees and survey respondents via social service centers. The interviews and questionnaire focused on the public’s daily practices and hygiene behaviors in public toilets. Content analysis of qualitative data was conducted. Multivariable logistic regressions were used to examine the association between age and toilet hygiene behaviors. Results Our qualitative component revealed a range of handwashing practices, from not washing at all, washing without soap, to washing for a longer time than instructions. Other toilet use practices were identified, such as not covering toilet lid before flushing and stepping on toilet seats due to dirtiness, and spitting into toilet bowls or hand basin. Totally, 300 respondents completed the questionnaire. Among them, 212 (70.9%) were female and 246 (86.1%) were aged 65 or below. More than two thirds always washed hands with soap (68.7%) and dried hands with paper towels (68.4%). Up to 16.2% reported stepping on toilet seats and 43.9% never covered the toilet lid before flushing. Over one fourth (26.4%) spit into squat toilets/ toilet bowl. Regression analyses showed that the elderly group were less likely to report stepping on toilet seats (adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 0.17, 95%CI 0.03–0.88), flushing with the toilet lid closed (AOR = 0.40, 0.16–0.96), but more likely to spit into squat toilets/ toilet bowl (AOR = 4.20, 1.50–11.74). Conclusions Hong Kong Chinese’s compliance to hygiene practices in public toilets is suboptimal. Stepping on toilet seat is a unique Chinese practice due to the dirtiness of toilet seats. Spitting practices may increase the risk of airborne infectious diseases and need improvement. Measures are needed to improve toilet hygiene behaviors, including public education campaigns and keeping toilet environment clean.

Facemask wearing among Chinese international students from Hong Kong studying in United Kingdom Universities during COVID-19: A mixed method study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Yuen-Kwan Lai ◽  
Shirley Man-Man Sit ◽  
Theresa Tze-Kwan Lai ◽  
Man-Ping Wang ◽  
Cecilia Hoi-Mei Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
International Students ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Personal Beliefs ◽  
The Uk

BACKGROUND The mental health of international students studying abroad has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE This mixed-method study examined perceived public attitudes, personal beliefs, practice and stress toward facemask wearing as a preventive measure against COVID-19 among international university students from Hong Kong studying in the United Kingdom (UK) in the early stage (January – March 2020) of the pandemic. METHODS Our study included 2 parts: (i) an exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit 91 Chinese students studying in the UK to complete an online questionnaire survey, and (ii) online Zoom focus group interviews were conducted with 16 students to gain an in-depth understanding on their experiences and coping methods during the pandemic. RESULTS Of the 91 students, 92.3% reported the UK public did not view facemask wearing as a preventive measure. 98.9% believed facemask wearing was an effective preventive measure, but 56% wore facemasks more than half of the time when out in public. 50.5% of them had internal conflicts of feeling stressed both when wearing facemasks and not wearing facemasks, which was more common in females than males [(62.5% versus 31.5%, P=0.004, Relative Risk (RR): 1.99 (1.17, 3.38)]. 61.5% reported public prejudiced attitudes against facemask wearing, also more females than males (71.4% versus 45.7%, P=0.02, RR: 1.56 (1.05, 2.32). Qualitative findings showed feeling of conflicts between personal beliefs and social norms, feeling stressed about wearing facemasks as a preventive measure, and experience of prejudice. Peer and family support helped students face such difficulties. Positive thinking and being adaptable were effective methods of stress management. Qualitative findings corroborated the quantitative results. CONCLUSIONS Prejudiced attitudes and behaviours from others, and differences in public attitudes toward facemask wearing resulted in much stress in students’ stress. Clear and accurate public health messaging regarding facemask wearing is needed to change public attitudes and mitigate prejudice. Owing to the ongoing pandemic and rising xenophobia, specifically Sinophobia, academic institutions and public health professionals should take initiative in reaching out to urgently address the needs of international students and provide support in managing their ongoing stress and enhance mental wellbeing. CLINICALTRIAL Ethics approval was granted by the Institutional Review Board of The University of Hong Kong / Hospital Authority Hong Kong West Cluster (reference number: UW20-298). The study was registered with the National Institutes of Health (identifier number: NCT04365361).

scholarly journals Facemask Wearing Among Chinese International Students From Hong Kong Studying in United Kingdom Universities During COVID-19: A Mixed Method Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Yuen-kwan Lai ◽  
Shirley Man-man Sit ◽  
Theresa Tze-kwan Lai ◽  
Man-ping Wang ◽  
Cecilia Hoi-mei Kong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
International Students ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Public Attitudes ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Chinese International Students ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
The Uk

Background: The mental health of international students studying abroad has been neglected during the COVID-19 pandemic.Objective: This mixed-method study examined perceived public attitudes, personal beliefs, practice and stress toward facemask wearing as a preventive measure against COVID-19 among international University students from Hong Kong studying in the United Kingdom (UK) in the early stage (January–March 2020) of the pandemic.Methods: Our study included 2 parts: (i) an exponential, non-discriminative snowball sampling strategy was used to recruit 91 Chinese students studying in the UK to complete an online questionnaire survey, and (ii) online Zoom focus group interviews were conducted with 16 students who completed the online survey to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences and coping methods during the pandemic.Results: Of the 91 students, 92.3% reported the UK public did not view facemask wearing as a preventive measure. 98.9% believed facemask wearing was an effective preventive measure, but 56% wore facemasks more than half of the time when out in public. 50.5% had internal conflicts of stress both when wearing and not wearing facemasks, which was more common in females than males [(62.5 vs. 31.5%), P = 0.004, Relative Risk (RR): 1.99 (1.17, 3.38)]. 61.5% reported public prejudiced attitudes against facemask wearing, also more common in females than males (71.4 vs. 45.7%), P = 0.02, RR: 1.56 (1.05, 2.32). The qualitative findings corroborated with the quantitative findings and reported that peer and family support were important for them to face such difficulties, and positive thinking and adaptability were effective methods on stress management.Conclusions: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Chinese international students have been faced with a difficult, confusing, and sensitive situation. Owing to the ongoing pandemic, rising xenophobia and racist behaviors and the resumption of students' studies studies in the U.K., support from global communities are needed in their pursuit of quality education overseas. Our findings have significant implications on the proactive roles that governments should have, and the need for clear and accurate public health messaging to change public attitudes and mitigate prejudice. Academic institutions and mental health professionals need to proactively provide additional support to Chinese international students.

scholarly journals Infrastructure Vandalism and Protection in a Vulnerable Zimbabwean Environment: Review of the Structural Materialism Theory

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Misheck Chingozha ◽  
◽  
Kwashirai Zvokuomba ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Critical Criminology ◽  
Power Utility ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Economic Fundamentals ◽  
Socioeconomic System ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Knowledge Claims ◽  
Method Approach

Many institutions are facing or have faced challenges related to vandalism of equipment and property in Zimbabwe. This criminal phenomenon is not only restricted and peculiar to this country but is experienced in other regions of the world, however with variations. The purpose of the study is to explore and unpack the various dimensions of infrastructure vandalism by gazing at Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) a power utility in Zimbabwe. The level of vandalism has been increasing unabated resulting in in a multitude of undesirable effects on the power utility and the economy as a whole. A plethora of stimulants have been seen to be triggering and sustaining the theft and vandalism of the infrastructure which targets copper conductors, copper windings, oils and the poles in the majority of cases. The study adopted the mixed method approach due to its technical advantage of converging and merging qualitative and quantitative data in order to provide comprehensive results and produce new knowledge claims. This methodological framework was guided by the structural materialism theory which is an off shot of the critical criminology perspective. Thus, the study found out that infrastructure vandalism is representative of a broader dysfunctional socioeconomic system of a country riddled by poverty, unemployment and the absence of mores and values within communities. Consequently, the levels of infrastructure vandalism have spiraled to unprecedented levels. The study concludes that the government is failing to sufficiently address the macro-economic fundamentals as way of discouraging citizens from engaging in crime and criminality while the traditional leaders are not being respected yet they have a significant role they can play in promoting the stability and serenity of communities. In view of these conclusions the study recommends that all stakeholders contribute towards the protection of all infrastructure and migrate to digitalize the protection of such infrastructure as well as promulgation of appropriate pieces of legislation.

Stakeholders Approach for Relief Provision to Distressed Farmers

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 16-31
Author(s):  
Neeta Baporikar ◽  
MV Deshpande
Keyword(s):  
Financial Aid ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Andhra Pradesh ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Stable Solution ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Mixed Method Approach ◽  
Farmer Suicides ◽  
The Government ◽  
Method Approach

Farmer distress has been increasing to such an extent that this has led many of them to give up life and commit suicides. There are no signs of relief for farmers. This is despite the government granting a decade of financial aid packages in drought prone areas of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra and Kerala with heavy rainfall. Insufficient rains or floods have increased the number of farmer suicides in the recent years and are likely to increase if proper and effective solutions are not carved out. The issue is critical and hence needs quick action to find a stable solution. Adopting a mixed method approach, this article aims to identify the challenges faced by the farmers in India, on the basis of framing strategies to alleviate farmers' issues, understanding the choice of agro-business strategies and recommending solutions to overcome these challenges.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of CSR Programs in The Development of Productive Economic Businesses in Semarang

JEJAK ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-432
Author(s):  
Etty Soesilowati ◽  
Nana Kariada Tri Martuti ◽  
Satya Budi Nugraha ◽  
Wahid Akhsin Budi Nur Sidiq
Keyword(s):  
Community Involvement ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Average Value ◽  
Service Business ◽  
The Government ◽  
Method Approach ◽  
Targeting Accuracy ◽  
Cluster Random Sampling

The purpose of this research is to examine the effectiveness of CSR program distribution in developing productive economy in Semarang City. The study uses a mixed method approach that targets companies that distribute CSR and SMES beneficiary. The SMES sample was taken using the Purposive cluster random sampling technique in each kelurahan, including Culinary business, Agriculture business, Service business, and crafts. Research focuses include: type of company; type of activity ; and the effectiveness of CSR programs with indicators of targeting accuracy, objectives, and benefits. The results showed that 10 companies outside the BUMD that had channeled their CSR funds received a good category with an average value of 79.13 on the Community Development Index. With the highest score in the aspect of suitability of the needs of the community of 83.38 with a good category and the lowest score on the aspect of community involvement was 73.25 with a less good category. Research recommends: first, a pentahelix approach is needed in realizing CSR programs, both between academics as innovators, companies as donors, beneficiary communities and the government as regulators through program integration so that activities are useful; secondly, Bappeda should make a published map of public needs so that academic research and CSR programs are right on target and right on benefits; third, business actors are required to assist business licensing and product marketing through student engagement in KKN programs and promotions by the government both at national and international levels

Hong Kong's fiscal largesse will fail to buy support

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Small Businesses ◽  
City Centre ◽  
Lower Income ◽  
Property Market ◽  
Public Funds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Economic Anxiety ◽  
The City

Significance The budget aims to stimulate economic growth and help small businesses and lower-income residents by redistributing public funds amounting to 34 billion Hong Kong dollars (4.4 billion US dollars). Also prominent are measures intended to quell economic anxiety that helped fuel large pro-democracy protests that shut down parts of the city centre for nearly three months between September and December last year. Impacts A cooling property market could relieve some economic frustration. Fears of investors fleeing Hong Kong are overplayed; the financial regime is entirely stable and there are few alternatives. Economic and political grievances will combine to feed an increasingly overt hostility to the mainland's government and citizens. The single most popular action the government could take would probably be to restrict mainland immigration, upsetting Beijing as a result.

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